Transatlantic Tunnel (1935)
"The Tunnel" (original title)

A team of international scientists and engineers attempts to build a tunnel under the ocean.

Director:

Maurice Elvey

Writers:

Bernhard Kellermann (novel), Curt Siodmak (screen story),

Stars:

Richard Dix, Leslie Banks, Madge Evans

Cast

Cast overview:
Richard Dix	...	Richard 'Mack' McAllan
Leslie Banks	...	Frederick 'Robbie' Robbins
Madge Evans	...	Ruth McAllan
Helen Vinson	...	Varlia Lloyd
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Lloyd
Basil Sydney	...	Mostyn
Henry Oscar	...	Grellier
Hilda Trevelyan	...	Mary
Cyril Raymond	...	Harriman
Jimmy Hanley	...	Geoffrey McAllan
George Arliss	...	Prime Minister of Great Britain
Walter Huston	...	President of the United States

Storyline

Engineers Richard McAllan and Frederick Robinson manage to get financial backing for a gigantic project to build a tunnel from England to America. His biggest supporter is Varlia Lloyd, daughter of one of the backers, and she uses her influence more than once to keep the project going. Mack's wife Ruth is also supportive, although his constantly being away on the tunnel project strains their marriage, and affects his relationship with their son. After years of financial skulduggery and physical obstacles under the ocean floor, the tunnel proceeds as Mack's marriage and his friendship with Robbie deteriorate.

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Plot Keywords:

tunnel builder | beethoven | drilling machine | classical music | world peace | 

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Taglines:

The next wonder of the world is the wonder of the movie world

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1935 (UK)

Also Known As:

Transatlantic Tunnel

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont British Picture Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Full Range Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Varlia Lloyd: You don't like him do you?
Mostyn: One likes human beings.

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Connections

Version of The Tunnel (1915)

User Reviews

A remarkable prediction of future techology.

A grimly realistic story, set in the future (as visualized in 1935), about the building of an undersea tunnel between England and America. The opening scene (a meeting of millionaires and engineers discussing the project) is reminiscent of a similar scene in `Destination Moon', though it lacks the patriotic enthusiasm.

The movie's basic message is also similar to `Destination Moon': determined men doing a big job despite colossal odds. The special effects are remarkable, the `futuristic' production designs are gorgeous, and the music is effective. There are some truly gripping moments in this fine motion picture. Especially memorable is the huge mechanism that drills the tunnel beneath the ocean.

Modern day tunneling machines are amazingly similar to the one portrayed in this 67-year-old movie. Watch the Discovery Channel's `Extreme Machines' episode about tunneling machines if you'd like to compare for yourself.

The final scene, showing cars entering the English entrance to the completed tunnel, is impressive when compared to the `chunnel' which now bridges England and Europe. `Transatlantic Tunnel' makes a great second feature for `Things to Come'.